A more realistic offseason heavy on defense and O-Line

Goals for this mock:
1-Reload the youth on this team.  I believe a younger team both will respond to Chip Better and set us up for success long term.
2-Dump some salary
3-Build a formidable 3-4 defense
4-Add depth and talent across the board
5-Provide competition at most positions especially QB and in the secondary
6-Improve the secondary

So, here we go….

Trades:
Cullen Jenkins to Carolina for a 5^th –Carolina needs help at DT and Cullen Jenkins is not a fan of the 3-4 D.  We get a 5^th for a guy who probably won’t fit in our new defense and, we also cut his salary clearing up some cap space.

Trent Cole to Jacksonville for a 3^rd –Jacksonville could use a good 4-3 DE and, despite having an off year Trent has been a very good DE throughout his career.  A 3^rd for him is a solid trade and should help Bradley’s new team tremendously.

Mike Vick and a 3^rd to Kansas City for a 2^nd –With no QB’s in this years’ draft worthy of a top pick and a good supporting cast, Andy Reid gets his guy and I think it’s more likely that Vick restructures for Andy seeing as he gave Vick a chance.  Also, it only cost them swapping a 2^nd for a 3^rd.  Not a bad deal for both parties.

If possible I’d trade back in the 2^nd a few spots and try to pick up a few 2014 picks to use as ammo to make moves next year.  Not a priority though

Re-Sign:

DRC- There is no doubt he is freakishly athletic, though he has been inconsistent.  I think keeping him around is a good move.  However, open competition is in order, make him earn his starting job.

Jake Scott- He provides good depth, and I feel confident if he has to start a game or two.

Jon Dorenbos- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Restructure Nnamdi Asomugha- Reports say he is willing to restructure to stay in Philly.  I think he’s worth a shot at turning it around under the new regime, and in the pass happy league, you can’t have enough cover guys.

Free Agency:

Alan Branch NT/DE Seattle- He played NT in Arizona and DT in Seattle.  At 6’6” 320 he offers us versatility on our new D-Line.

Fernando Velasco C/G Tennessee- He’s a very good young C/G, who can challenge at both positions and at the very least provide excellent depth on our line, which has been a huge problem for us.

Austin Howard OT NYJ- I liked his potential when he was with us.  This year he has quietly become one of the better young RT’s in the league and would give us a more traditional mauler at RT.  This move also gives us the option to move Herremans back to guard, where I feel he was a better player.

Matt Flynn QB Seattle- Rumor has it he will be released due to his contract.  I really like what Foles brings, but I do believe in competition and think this would be a smart move.  Chip Kelly is gonna build an offense around his players and I believe his NFL system will focus less on mobile QB’s than his Oregon offense did.

Patrick Chung SS New England- He lost his starting job to McCourty but, he is still better than what we have.  Also a former Oregon Duck.

Ricky Jean-Francois DE San Francisco- Good solid backup DE.

Draft:
1-OLB Jarvis Jones Georgia- I was skeptical about Jones due to the whole spinal stenosis issue.  However, after reading an article about this condition and particularly how it will affect Jones’ career, I’m convinced he is worth the risk.  See page 4 of the Jarvis Jones thread in IWTETG to read the article.  He is an outstanding talent and compares favorably to Von Miller.  At pick number 4 I want an impact player and I am now convinced he will be just that.  28 sacks over the last 2 years against SEC competition is just outstanding, plus he can cover, has outstanding instincts, and all the physical tools to make him one of the best rush linebackers in the league. Secondary option Damontre Moore Texas A&M if they decide the neck issue is too much.

2-NT John Jenkins Georgia- Back to back Dawgs.  Jenkins is an absolute monster at 6’4” 360 lbs and should solidify our new 3-4 D-Line.  Combining him with Branch and Cox gives us a massive and athletic line.

2-CB Jordan Poyer Oregon State- While watching the Sr. Bowl practices, this kid has stood out to me.  I think he can compete for playing time and add depth at corner, which in todays’ pass happy league is extremely important.

3-FS Tony Jefferson Oklahoma- Tony is a corner turned safety with good all-around skills.  He can cover, tackle and has great ball skills.  Lead Oklahoma in tackles this year and can lay the wood on big hits.  With a 3^rd rounder, I feel this is a great value pick.

4-OT Menelik Watson Florida State- This former basketball star from England possesses great footwork and at is a tremendous athlete at 6’5” 320 lbs.  He is a bit raw.  However, I really like him as a prospect to groom behind Peters.

5-NT Kwame Geathers Georgia- Another Georgia NT? Yeah. Geathers, like his teammate, is massive and athletic.  The 6’5” 355 lb NT provides depth at NT and should get some play time in a rotation.

5-OT Brian Winters Kent State- As I said before, depth on our O-Line is a great concern.  Winters is a nice prospect who has the talent to be a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick.  However, with the depth at OT in this years’ draft he is available in the 5^th.  He is a nice bargain pick at this point and further adds to the depth of our line.

6-SS Ray Ray Armstrong Miami- Armstrong was once considered the best safety in this years’ class.  However, he was caught up in an agent scandal and was kicked off the Miami team.  He has a ton of potential.  At 6’4” 215 lbs he is an athletic freak who I believe can compete from day one for playing time.  With a 6^th round pick, he could prove to be one of the steals of the draft.

7-FB Trey Millard Oklahoma- Millard is a big powerful more traditional FB.  He can block, run, and catch out of the backfield.  I think we will see more power running than we have in the past so a big strong FB would be a welcome addition.

7-P Ryan Allen LA Tech- McBriar has not been spectacular,  so I’d draft a young punter late to take his spot.

Depth Chart:

QB-Foles, Flynn, Edwards
RB-McCoy, Brown, Lewis, Polk
FB-Millard
WR-Maclin, Jackson, Avant, Cooper, Johnson
TE-Celek, Harbor, Moore
LT-Peters, Watson
LG-Mathis, Watkins
C-Kelce, Velasco
RG-Herremans, Scott
RT-Howard, Winters

LE-Branch, Thornton
NT-Jenkins, Geathers, Dixon
RE-Cox, Jean-Francois
OLB-Jones, Graham, Hunt, Curry
MLB-Ryans, Kendricks, Matthews, Chaney
CB-Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, Poyer, Boykin, Marsh
FS-Jefferson, Anderson
SS-Chung, Armstrong

K-Henery
P-Allen
LS-Dorenbos

My analysis of the team:
   On offense the most drastic change is of course the change at QB Foles is my guy, but Flynn is brought in to push him.  In the best QB class in recent history, Foles stacked up favorably and proved he is tough, smart, has NFL caliber physical tools and can manage a game.  I’m willing to give him a shot and I think Kelly will stick to his word and build his offense around the strengths of his players, allowing Foles to manage the game.  RB situation stays the same as I believe it is a strength of our team.  The addition of a true FB should help.  I also kept the same WR and TE group as I believe Chip can make the most of these guys and use them in ways that get them in space and let them make plays.  As for the O-Line we keep the zone-blocking scheme but add a traditional mauler type RT in Howard, who should come at a good price.  I also picked up Velasco to compete and Watson and Winters in the draft for depth and grooming.  Also, most of our OL can play multiple positions so depth should not be an issue.  I envision this O being pretty good maybe top 15 if Foles plays well.

   So, I spent the most time and money re-building the Defense to switch to a 3-4.  Our front line of Branch, Jenkins and Cox is both massive (avg weight of 326 lbs and height of 6’5”) and athletic also.  These guys are strong and can provide some pass rush.  Jarvis Jones is the big addition at OLB and has the potential to become a Von Miller type of rush LBer.  Graham has said he’d welcome the chance to move to OLB and I expect he would shed a few pounds.  He was a top recruit at LB before swithing to DE at Michigan, I think he can make the transition well and at least be as good as Spencer or if we’re lucky Woodley.  Curry and Hunt, I think can be suitable backups and we should have a pretty nice four man rotation.  A misconception is Ryans isn’t good in a 3-4 which is false.  Cushing was just better.  Kendricks played 3-4 ILB in college and played it well enough to make him a 2^nd round pick.  I think he will do fine.  I kept both Nnamdi and DRC because I think I cleared up enough cap room to warrant keeping them, especially in this pass happy league.  With Poyer and Boykin we have two young CB’s to groom and possibly compete for playing time.  At safety I signed veteran Patrick Chung and drafted Tony Jefferson and Ray Ray Armstrong.  I would keep Allen, Coleman and Anderson around til TC and let the best 4 make it.  I see FS Jefferson and Allen and at SS Chung and Armstrong.  This may be a rough transition at first but I believe there’s enough talent to eventually become one of the better defenses.  I’ll guess again top 15 by the end of season.  I’m an optimist.

#1 matbarnard

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